Director: Bill Pohlad
Starring: Paul Dano, John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks
‘A Marvellous Musical’
Not many actresses have made movies that have achieved the ranks of Elizabeth Banks. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Banks has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s news reporters, famous singers or single mothers, Banks has played several powerful characters. Arguably, Banks’ best strength as an actress has always been her likeability. She is one of those rare actresses that has always projected likeable personalities in her movies. Banks has never been afraid of taking risks in her career by playing complex women which aren’t likeable. Through her strong desires to take risks in her career, Banks has become a beloved actress whose films audiences value. A commemorated actress with strong commitment towards her craft, Banks has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout her successful career, the actress has made many powerful movies that are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Banks and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Love & Mercy” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2014, Bill Pohland’s movie offered a beautiful tribute to the band Beach Boys. Packed with breathtaking production design, captivating storytelling and strong storytelling, it’s one of the greatest musicals ever made biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Elizabeth Banks, who plays a woman falling in love with an iconic musician causing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Love & Mercy” a musical masterpiece is its broad appeal. Unlike most movies about renowned musicians, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a heartfelt message about the importance of following one’s dream which would resonate with everyone. A riveting musical masterpiece about a renowned band, there are many strong reasons why “Love & Mercy” is a movie which is definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
Based on real-life events, “Love and Mercy” tells the true story of a musician that gained popularity. John Cusack plays Brian Wilson, a renowned musician with a lifelong love for art of music. There was once a time in the past when Wilson was a famous singer that formed the iconic band Beach Boys. However, Brian’s life over time has lost its lustre as he has lost passion for being a singer. Affected by mental health issues that are severe, Brian has lost his passion for composing melodies which people love to hear. Just when all hope seems to have gone for Brian, he finds a romantic partner in Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks). Melinda is a prestigious car dealer that helps Brian to rediscover his passion for being a singer. As he recounts memories of a happier time when he composed melodies, Brian faces adversities. Facing odds stacked against his favour, Brian begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to accomplish his dream of being a celebrated singer.
Bill Pohland is a newcomer towards the stories of musicians. Before he made “Love & Mercy”, Pohland had never made a film about singers in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the life story of a legendary singer, but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Pohland captures the mental health tensions endured by a singer facing catastrophe. Evoking James Mangold’s “Walk the Line”, Pohland deftly uses handheld camerawork to capture the tensions endured by a musician that endures a mental decline. For instance, handheld camera enhances the mental breakdown scene. During this intense scene, Brian experiences a severe breakdown in the airplane feeling that he is having a heart attack. One appreciates handheld camera that captures musicians which endure a dilemma. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Gary Ross’ “The Hunger Games” demonstrated, handheld camerawork elevates adaptations. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Pohland captures tensions that musicians with mental health issues are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Love & Mercy” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best musical biopics ever made. Inspired by Taylor Hackford’s “Ray”, Pohland constructs engaging musical concert scenes through live singing. Unlike most musical biopics, Pohland had the actors learn how to sing love on set. For instance, live singing elevates the concert scene. During this unforgettable scene, Brian and his band seek to prepare an unforgettable musical concert composing melodies people love to hear. One appreciates live-signing that captures the hardships celebrated singers are facing. Live-singing is a complicated technique to use in most movies. As Jason Moore’s “Pitch Perfect” suggested, live-singing often elevates Broadway adaptations. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Atticus Ross’ commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the burden that famous musicians bear. Through powerful production, Pohland captures the lives of commemorated musicians facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Love & Mercy” is a musical biopic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling capturing the hardship musicians are facing. Throughout the movie, Pohland uses non-linear storytelling to capture the complex life of a musician. The film deftly switches back and forth between two different timelines: present-day scenes of Brian’s life as an aging singer and scenes of his joyous past as a renowned musician. For instance, non-linear storytelling elevates the abuse scene. During this intense scene, Brian recounts memories of childhood abuse that shaped his personality to Melinda. One appreciates non-linear storytelling which captures tensions musicians are facing. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me if You Can” claimed, non-linear storytelling elevates crime dramas about con-artists. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Pohland captures the lives of musicians that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Elizabeth Banks delivers one of her greatest career performances as Melinda. Banks first achieved appreciation for playing heroines in romantic films. With “Love & Mercy”, however, she took on her most memorable role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman that had a romantic affair with a strong musician but Banks pulled it off effectively. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most memorable role. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, desperation and compassion of a woman that forms a romantic relationship with a famous musician. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most celebrated actresses working today.
Paul Dano is phenomenal as a famous singer facing sorrow. Dano has always excelled at playing anxious characters which are under pressure, and “Love & Mercy” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. As Brian Wilson, Dano did an extraordinary job of portraying an iconic musician. Whether he’s experiencing a nervous breakdown during an airplane flight or struggling to bend broken bonds with his strict father, Dano expertly uses his body language to create a singer there compelling. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for singing melodies he hadn’t shown in his career before. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of praise. John Cusack is spectacular, capturing the mental health issues faced by an aging musician under tension. Paul Giamatti is powerful, bringing a strong sense of authority to a musician manager that struggles to take care of a singer facing adversity. Lastly, Bill Camp merits appreciation. As Brian’s strict father, he brings tension towards the movie.
Finally, “Love & Mercy” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing musicians enduring tension. Unlike most musical biopics, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The movie tackles strong themes including mental health, career and ambition which would strike a chord with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the Beach Boys’ music to admire it. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of following one’s dreams which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Love. & Mercy” is one of those rare musical biopics everyone will adore.
Fans of Elizabeth Banks will appreciate “Love & Mercy” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating biopic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 60 years after Brian Wilson became an inspiring singer forming a legendary rock band composing timeless melodies with love and mercy that are captivating, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a larger-than-life legacy achieving a tremendous fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in engaging movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 